SPRINGFIELD - House hunters got an unwelcome surprise when a shed caught fire during a tour of 254 Hartwick St. on Saturday, according to fire officials.

The homeowners had been burning and discarded embers in a metal feeding bin before the prospective buyers arrived, stashing the debris on the side of a shed on the property, said Dennis Leger, aide to Fire Commissioner Joseph Conant.

Firefighters responded to the reported blaze shortly after noontime and damage was restricted to the shed, Leger said.

"Open burning is illegal unless it's for the purpose of cooking," Leger cautioned, adding that the homeowner was not cited but the offense can incur fines if repeated.